Shingle



Nov. 26, 1968 J. T. ELLIS ETAL 3,412,517

SHINGLE Filed se t. 29. 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INYENTORS. John 2' 6/05 BYChar/es It! G/esner 147 T ORNE Y8 Nov. 26, 1968 J. T. ELLIS ETAL3,412,517

SHINGLE Filed Sept. 29, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z9 25 JJ74/('{ R John 7:.5 FA BY Char/es G/esner WJMM QTTORNE'YS tates ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A shingle which comprises: a substantially rectangular sheet;a first trough tapered in depth along one side of the sheet; a secondtrough along the other side of the sheet, tapered in depth and having atleast two distinct channels along the bottom of the trough, said secondtrough mates with a first trough in an adjacent sheet; a third troughrunning along the top of said sheet and communicating with said firstand second trough; a flange along the top edge of the sheet and aninturned elongated flange along the bottom length of the sheet. Also, aplurality of said shingles can be assembled in an overlapping andstaggered position to provide a watertight covering on the surface area,e.g., roof.

Background of the invention Customary practice in shingling a roof is touse sub stantially flat slabs of material like wood or compositions oftarred paper or asbestos felt with enough stiffness and overlapping sothat any spot on the roof is covered by at least three layers. Freefalling water is quite easily and completely shed by this construction.Furthermore, there is so much overlapping that most, if not all,wind-driven water is also prevented from finding its way past all threelayers. The surface roughness of customary materials assists materiallyin preventing seepage through the overlapped joints.

To improve permanence and fire protection of roofs, e.g., familydwellings, it is desirable to use metal shingles. Cost of the metalmakes it prohibitive to cover the entire roof with three overlappedlayers and the neutral smoothness of the normal metal surface makes itvery difficult to prevent seepage or flow of water between overlappedsurfaces.

There have been heretofore many unsuccessful attempts to design metalshingles with watertight seals along their edges. This seal upon sealtechniques has been expensive and ineffective. Sealed joints asheretofore employed require careful individual fitting and crimping andusually require some sort of flexible sealing compound like putty orplastics. The latter materials show generally poor sta bility to Weatherand they tend to crack or loosen within a few years, whereas a good roofshould require no attention for at least years or more. Furthermore, ithas been found that with the best of care there were always some jointsimproperly sealed and harmful leakage would appear. Heavy wind isespecially conducive to leakage.

The present invention alleviates these hereto encountered disadvantagesassociated with metal shingles by incorporating a novel jointing design.Instead of employing the seal upon seal design, the present shinglesemploy a trough upon trough design.

The present structure eliminates the need for providing sealed jointswhich are hard to fabricate and maintain in order to prevent all leakageof water around the edges of a metal shingle. In the shingles of thepresent invention, flanges and edge joints are reasonably tight anddesigned to prevent substantially all surface water from finding its wayunder the shingles under ordinary circumstances. However, under extremeconditions, some atent ice wind-driven water may get under the edges ofthe top shingle. In the present structure, a carefully designed patternof channels (or troughs) and ribs provides for carrying this smallamount of water away from under the top shingle to the exposed surfaceof adjacent shingles where it flows harmlessly away with the bulk ofsurface water. Where previous designs have tried to make overlappingsurfaces of metal shingles lie closer together, i.e. sealed joints andedges, to prevent passage of water, the present invention provideschannels. These not only serve to provide run-off means for directingthe flow and removal of water from a shingled surface, but also stop theseepage of water which might otherwise be carried (usually by an airstream) to the roof itself. Appreciable quantities of water may becarried through ordinary metal shingle roofs as a spray of tiny dropletsin a high velocity jets of air through a restricted passage. By openingup such restricted passages by providing relatively open drainagechannels in the present structure, such high speed jets are interruptedand slowed down so the entrained droplets settle into the channelsprovided for carrying away such water.

The present structure therefore permits a roof to be covered with asingle layer of metal except for a relatively narrow overlapping at theedges of each shingle unit. The total area of roof thus covered withmore than a single layer of metal is reduced considerably over thatneeded in shingles heretofore employed.

Summary of the invention The present invention concerns a novel shinglewhich comprises a substantially rectangular sheet; a first troughtapered in depth along one side of the sheet; a second trough tapered indepth along the second side of said sheet and having two channels alongthe bottom of said sheet; the second trough mates with a first trough inan adjacent shingle in the same row of a shingle assembly; a thirdtrough runs longitudinally along the top of the sheet and an inturnedelongated flange runs along the bottom of the sheet. The first andsecond side troughs in adjacent sheet are mated so as to form a joint,and the sheets in adjacent rows are jointed by means of fasteners whichare secured to the lower sheet, e.g., by nails, when the lower sheet isattached to the roof, and which engage the inturned flange on the bottomof the shingle in a next higher row to securely restrain its position.

Drawings FIGURE 1 represents a fragmentary isometric view of threeshingles, as assembled in normal usage, in adjacent rows in anoverlapping and mated position.

FIGURE 2 represents a fragmentary vertical section along lines 22 inFIGURE 1 of the trough in one side of a shingle.

FIGURE 3 represents a fragmentary front view of the trough in the otherside of the shingle depicted in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 represents a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, throughline 4-4 in FIGURE 1 of the trough in the side of the shingle asdepicted in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 represents a fragmentary transverse section through line 55 ofthe longitudinal trough in the top of the shingle.

FIGURE 6 represents an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly insection, of a first and second trough in adjacent shingles in the samerow in a mated and joined position.

FIGURE 7 represents a fragmentary transverse section along line 77 inFIGURE 1 of a first and second shingle in adjacent rows in a mated andjointed position.

Preferred embodiments One embodiment of the shingle of the presentinvention is depicted in FIGURES 1 through 7. It comprises a rectangularsheet 1% wherein the first side of the sheet defines a first U-shapedtrough 11 extending substantially the entire width of the sheet andwhich continuously and gradually tapers in depth from a deep depressionat the bottom of the sheet to a shallow depression at the top of thesheet. The first side is further defined in that the outer wall 12 ofthe first trough forms the outer edge 13 of the first side of the sheet.The outer wall 12 also usually is provided with a crimped lip 14 asshown in FIGURE 6.

The second side of the sheet defines a second U-shaped trough 15extending substantially the entire width of the sheet and whichcontinuously and gradually tapers in depth from a deep depression at thebottom of the sheet to a shallow de ression at the top of the sheet. Thebottom of the second trough forms at least two distinct channels 16, 16along its length, each being parallel to the walls of the second trough.The outer wall 17 of the second trough forms the outer edge 18 of thesecond side of the sheet.

The two trough are also characterized in that the second trough 15 canreceive and mate with a first trough 11 in the first side of anadjoining sheet in the same row of shingles thereby to form a joint asshown in FIG- URE 6. When mated in the jointed position the outer wall12, usually having a crirnped lip 14, in the first trough 11 mates withthe inner wall 19 in the second trough 15 in an adjoined sheet as shownin FIGURE 6.

The top of the sheet defines a flange 20 and a third trough 21 extendingalong the entire length of the sheet. This longitudinal trough 21 ispositioned intermediate the flange 20 and the body of the sheet andcommunicates with the first and second U-shaped troughs, 11 and 15, onthe two sides of the sheet 10. The flange 20 is further characterized inthat it forms the top portion 22 of the trough 11 and extends angularlyupward and away from the main body of the sheet. It is constructed suchthat the top edge 23 of the flange 20 is positioned slightly above theplane of the sheet so as to mate with the bottom of a next higher sheetin an adjacent and overlapping row of shingles as shown in FIGURE 7. Theflange 20 also has a series of spaced apart notches 24 along the topedge 23 which loosely mate with the vertical troughs in a next highersheet in an adjacent row of overlapping and staggered shingles.

The bottom of the sheet defines an inturned elongated base L-shapedflange 25 which extends below the surface of the sheet and between theside troughs 11 and 15 in the sheet.

It is preferred that the first U-shaped trough 11 has a downward facingtab 26 extending from the bottom edge of the sheet, said tab 26partially closes the entrance of the channels 16, 16 formed in thebottom of a lower second U-shaped trough 15 in an adjoining sheet in thesame row of shingles when the two U-shaped troughs are in a mated andjointed position as shown in FIGURE 6. The tab does not completely closethe entrance to the lower trough and entrapped water may flow freelyfrom the lower trough 15 and onto the surface of the lower sheet. Thefunction of the tab is to block the free flow of wind into the lowertrough and reduce the velocity of the wind sufiiciently to cause spraydroplets of water to settle out of suspension thus preventing water frombeing forced under the shingle and onto the roof.

To further assure that no water is forced under the shingles the outerwall 17 of the second trough 15 is usually provided with a lip 27 whichextends angularly up and away from the main body of the shingle. Whentwo side troughs are in a mated position as shown in FIGURE 6, the lip27 is depressed against the bottom of the sheet containing the matedfirst trough 11, thus assuring a watertight joint.

As indicated, the second trough 15 of the sheet 10 is provided with atleast two channels 16, 16 in the bottom thereof. The channels can bedefined by forming a ridge or flange 28 in the bottom of the trough asdepicted in FIGURE 2. The ridge 28 is usually sufficiently raised sothat it contacts the bottom of the first trough 11 when the troughs arein a mated and jointed position, FIGURE 6. The joint thus provided whenthe two troughs are in a mated position prevents substantially all waterfrom being forced below the shingles. Any rain water making its way intothe second trough 15 of the lower shingle will flow down the trough dueto the slope of the roof. The interference caused by the ridge 28 matingwith the bottom of the first trough 11 prevents water from entering theother channel 16' in the trough. However, any water which may get forcedinto the second channel 16 is slowed down sufiiciently so that it willflow down the second channel and onto the surface of the lower shingle.

A lateral joint is provided between a lower and upper shingle inadjacent rows by securely fastening the lower shingle to the roof andproviding securing means 29, e.g., clips, as depicted in FIGURE 7. Theelongated L-shaped flange 25 in the upper shingle is securely fittedbelow the securing means 29 so as to fit flush with the surface of thelower sheet as shown in FIGURE 7. The joint formed between flange 25 andsurface of the lower sheet will prevent, even under conditions of highwind, the bulk of any wind-driven water from entering below the uppershingle. By the unique design of the present shingle, any water whichmay be forced under the joint will nevertheless be slowed downsufficiently so that it is trapped by the longitudinal trough 21 andwill flow into one of the side troughs 11 or 15 and onto the surface ofa lower shingle. The flange 20 along the top edge of the lower sheetfurther assures that no water is forced under the shingle and onto thesupporting roof. The flange 20 is positioned so that it angles up andaway from the main body of the sheet. When two shingles from adjoiningrows are in a mated position, the top edge 23 of the flange contacts thebottom surface of the upper shingle as depicted in FIGURE 7 thuspreventing spray water from entering under a next higher shingle. Asindicated previously, spaced apart notches 24 are provided at locationsalong the top flange 20 where the side troughs in next higher shinglescross flange 20, so that the shingles will securely mate together. Ifdesired, the top edge 23 of the flange 20 may be provided with a sealingmaterial or adhesive which will firmly adhere with the bottom of a nexthigher shingle when in a mated position thus providing additionalassurance against penetrating water. Additionally vertical troughs 30may be positioned intermediate the first and second troughs, 11 and 15,and substantially parallel thereto so as to provide strength to thesheet and to provide additional troughs for carrying water from thelongitudinal trough 21.

The novel shingle as described herein may be constructed of any materialwhich can be provided with the necessary troughs and flanges asdescribed hereinbefore. Especially useful are metallic materials suchas, for example, aluminum. However, various plastics and other metalsmay also be employed.

Various modifications may be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit thereof for it is understood that weare limited only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A planar shingle comprising a substantially rectangular sheet andfurther characterized in that:

( a) one side of the sheet defines a first U-shaped trough extendingsubstantially the entire width of the sheet, said trough continuouslyand gradually tapering in depth from a deep depression at the bottom ofthe sheet to a shallow depression at the top of the sheet and furtherdefined in that the outer wall of the trough forms the outer edge of thefirst side of the sheet;

(b) the other side of the sheet defines a second U- shaped troughextending substantially the entire width of the sheet, said troughcontinuously and gradually tapering in depth from a deep depression atthe bottom of the sheet to a shallow depression at the top of the sheet,the bottom of said second trough forming at least two distinct channelsalong its length each being parallel to the walls of the trough, theouter wall of the trough forming the outer edge of the sec- 0nd side ofthe sheet, and further characterized in that the second trough canreceive and mate with a first trough in the first side of an adjoiningsheet in the same row of shingles thereby to form a joint;

(c) the top of the sheet defines a flange and a third trough extendingalong the entire length of the sheet, the trough positioned intermediatethe flange and the body of the sheet and communicating with the firstU-shaped and second U-shaped troughs on the two sides of said sheet, theflange being further characterized in that it forms the top wall of thetrough and extends angularly upward and away from the main body of thesheet, the top edge of said flange being positioned slightly above theplane of the sheet so as to mate with the bottom of a sheet in a nexthigher adjacent and overlapping row of shingles, said flange also havinga series of spaced apart notches along the top edge which loosely matewith the troughs in a next higher sheet in an adjacent row ofoverlapping and staggered shingles; and

(d) the bottom of the sheet defines an elongated L- shaped flangeextending below the surface of the sheet and between the side troughs inthe sheet.

2. The shingle, as defined in claim 1 wherein the first U-shaped troughhas a downward facing tab extending from the bottom edge of the sheet,said tab partially closing the entrance of the two channels formed inthe second U-shaped trough in a second trough of an adjoining sheet inthe same row of shingles when the two U-shaped troughs are in a matedand jointed position.

3. The shingle, as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one additionaltrough, tapered in depth, is positioned intermediate the first andsecond troughs, runs substantially parallel to the first and secondtroughs and joins the trough running along the top edge of the sheet.

4. The shingle, as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer wall of thesecond U-shaped trough is provided with a lip which extends angularly upand away from the main body of the sheet, the edge of which ispositioned slightly above the plane of the sheet so as to mate with thebottom of an adjoining sheet in the same row of shingles when the firstand second troughs are in a mated and jointed position.

5. The shingle as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer edge of the firstside of the sheet forms a crimped lip which mates with the inner wall ofa second trough in an adjacent shingle in the same row of shingles whenthe first and second troughs are in a mated and jointed position.

6. A series of shingles, as defined in claim 1, wherein adjacentshingles in the same row are placed in an overlapping position by matingthe first and second troughs and Where the shingles in adjoining rowsare placed in a staggered and overlapping position with the shingles inan adjacent lower row and jointed to the shingles in the adjacent rowsby fasteners secured to the shingles in the lower row which engage theL-shaped flange on the bottom edge of the sheets in the next higheradjacent row of shingles.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,127 11/ 1926 Rachlin 52-5312,209,704 7/ 1940 Olden 52-531 2,258,509 10/1941 Key 52-527 3,058,26510/1962 Lapsensohn 52-529 3,363,380 1/1968 Merrill 52-530 HENRY C.SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

